Even though it was introduced in February of 2017, the Canon EOS Rebel T7i (known as the EOS 800D in countries outside of the US) is still considered one of the most excellent DSLR cameras, especially for those who are looking for a bit of a bargain.
It is an update to the well-known EOS Rebel T6i / EOS 750D from 2015, and it combines all of the traditional hallmarks of a Canon DSLR, such as excellent handling and image quality, with some robust specifications, such as a 6fps burst mode and a 3-inch touchscreen that can be angled in different directions.
Its mirrorless equivalent, the Canon EOS M50, currently outperforms it in terms of shooting performance, which puts this camera in second place. This camera can take 600 pictures on a single charge, whereas the other can only take 235 photos on a single charge. The battery life of the other camera is pitiful compared to the capacity of this camera.
Canon EOS Rebel T7i Features
Even while the EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D has the exact resolution of 24.2 megapixels as its predecessor, the EOS Rebel T6i / EOS 750D, the sensor has been redesigned and now employs the same technology as the EOS 80D.
We can only surmise that it employs the same on-chip digital-to-analog conversion technology we saw in the EOS 5D Mark IV to manage noise better. Canon refused to comment on what precisely changed, but we can conjecture that it uses this technology.
A Digic 7 image processor is paired with the brand-new sensor that was just released. This has since been superseded by the Digic 8 chip, which we saw for the first time on the Canon EOS M50. However, it is still a good performer, enabling the EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D to deliver superior high-ISO noise performance and autofocus compared to Digic 6 cameras like its predecessor.
Canon EOS Rebel T7i Build Quality
The Rebel T7i, much like the Rebel T6i, is constructed out of aluminum alloy and polycarbonate. However, the camera’s weight has been reduced by around 20 grams, and it now weighs 532 grams when equipped with both a battery and a memory card.
However, even though we have no reason to believe that the quality of the construction of this camera is not very high, the exterior finish of the camera, which is predominately matte plastic, does not feel very pleasant to the touch. It appears to be relatively inexpensive when we compare it to more contemporary mirrorless competitors like the Panasonic Lumix G90/G95 and the Fujifilm X-T30. This is especially true when we are being critical.
Canon EOS Rebel T7i Autofocus
Even though it was released in 2015, Canon’s tried-and-true 19-point phase-detect AF system was used in the EOS Rebel T6i and EOS 750D. However, even at the time of its release, this technology was beginning to show its age. In preparation for the release of the Rebel T7i and 800D, Canon completely redesigned this feature, increasing the number of AF points to 45 and making them all cross-type for improved accuracy.
Even if this is not nearly comparable to the Canon EOS M50’s 143-point autofocus system, the fact that all of these AF points are of the cross-type variety is a significant improvement over earlier versions.
Cross-type sensors are sensitive in both the horizontal and vertical planes, which means that when the camera is focusing, it is more likely to lock onto its target than a sensor that is sensitive to only one plane, which can mean that you have to rotate the camera to achieve focus. Since cross-type sensors are exposed in both the horizontal and vertical planes, it is more likely to lock onto their target when the camera is focusing.
Canon EOS Rebel T7i Performance
The Canon EOS Rebel T7i boasts a continuous shooting speed of 6 frames per second, which was made possible in part by the inclusion of the Digic 7 image processor. However, this is just a moderate improvement. Since mirrorless competitors offer quicker burst shooting, it’s a shame that Canon hasn’t been persuaded to try and wring even more performance out of the new camera.
However, battery life has seen a significant improvement, and many mirrorless competitors would have difficulty competing with the T7i/800D’s capacity of 600 shots. However, if you want to shoot using only the back display, the camera’s battery life will be reduced to 270 photos. This puts it behind its closest competitor, the Nikon D5600, which can capture an additional 220 shots for a total of 820 before the battery has to be recharged.
Canon EOS Rebel T7i Picture Quality
The new 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor in the EOS Rebel T7i and EOS 800D works exceptionally well. Although there is probably not much of a difference between this new sensor and the one in the T6i / 750D in terms of out-and-out resolution, both performing exceptionally well, the differences come from enhancements made in other areas.
The manner that this camera dealt with noise was perhaps the most significant advancement that it made. At low sensitivities, the images looked relatively clean and had decent saturation; however, the significant gains became more apparent at higher levels of the sensitivity range.
The raw files processed in Adobe Camera Raw appeared to be extremely high quality, with photographs seeming to be relatively clean even when ISO 6400 was used. Although there is some luminance noise (which looks like grain), it has an excellent structure, and there is scarcely any chroma noise (which affects color), so it is difficult to discern. However, the saturation is not quite as excellent as before, even though it is still amicable.
At an ISO setting of 25,600, the noise in the image is noticeably more evident, and the loss of saturation and detail occurs in addition to the increased visibility of the noise. The findings, despite this, are still quite reliable when other factors are considered. This setting should be avoided whenever feasible, but it offers some flexibility if you have to take a picture despite the dim lighting.
Canon EOS Rebel T7i Specs
| Body type | Mid-size SLR |
|---|---|
| Body material | Composite |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 26 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | DIGIC 7 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-25600 (expands to 51200) |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 51200 |
| White balance presets | 6 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.3)Raw (14-bit Canon CR2) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes (flash) |
| Digital zoom | No |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 45 |
| Lens mount | Canon EF/EF-S |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.6× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.) |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramShutter priorityAperture priorityManual |
| Scene modes | Group PhotoKidsFoodCandlelightNight PortraitHandheld Night SceneHDR Backlight ControlPortraitLandscapeClose-upSports |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleHigh-speed continuousLow-speed continuousSelf-timerSelf-timer + continuous |
| Continuous drive | 6.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Metering modes | MultiAverageSpotPartial |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes | 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 12 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 30 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 60p / 26 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1280 x 720 @ 30p / 4 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | Includes Bluetooth LE and NFC |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone or Bluetooth remote) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 600 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 532 g (1.17 lb / 18.77 oz) |
| Dimensions | 131 x 100 x 76 mm (5.16 x 3.94 x 2.99″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | Optional |
Canon EOS Rebel T7i Verdict
Even though it is getting on in years, the EOS Rebel T7i / 800D is still a good option for novice photographers who wish to upgrade from the camera on their smartphone or from a simple point-and-shoot camera. Because the specifications are now a little old compared to mirrorless competitors, mainly because its video resolution is limited to 1080p, it is best suited for users who like the heaviness and feel of a DSLR.
The autofocus technology, the ability to shoot at a burst rate of 6 frames per second, and the battery’s longevity are all qualities that make it more than capable of being used for shooting stills and learning how to shoot in manual mode.
